USDA-ARS Graduate Student Investigating Fusarium Head Blight

United States Department of Agriculture; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in St. Paul, Minnesota offers a research opportunity focused on Fusarium Head Blight.

Under mentor guidance, you will design experiments, collect and analyze data, and work with lab members to advance strategies for controlling this disease and reducing mycotoxins in cereal crops. The appointment is part-time, initially one year with potential renewal, and is administered through ORISE.

Qualifications

• Citizenship: U.S. citizens only.

Responsibilities

• Design experiments under mentor guidance.
• Collect and analyze data.
• Collaborate with lab members to achieve project goals.

Job description

*Applications are reviewed on a rolling-basis and applications may close before the deadline.

ARSOffice/Lab and Location:

A research opportunityis currently available withthe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS),located in St. Paul, Minnesota.

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in-house research agency with a mission to find solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day from field to table. ARS will deliver cutting-edge, scientific tools and innovative solutions for American farmers, producers, industry, and communities to support the nourishment and well-being of all people; sustain our nation’s agroecosystems and natural resources; and ensure the economic competitiveness and excellence of our agriculture. The vision of the agency is to provide global leadership in agricultural discoveries through scientific excellence.

Research Project:

Fusarium Head Blight is one of the most devastating diseases of wheat, barley, and other cereal crops and is a persistent threat to U.S. agriculture, causing economic losses exceeding $1B in epidemic years. Thisopportunity investigates how Fusarium causes disease by interacting with its hosts and how it produces harmful mycotoxins that accumulate in cereal grains during infection. Alongside yourmentor, you will design experiments, collect and analyze data, and collaborate with lab members to achieve project goals. The project will enable new strategies for controlling this disease and reducing mycotoxins in the food supply, which will increase the value of cereal crops grown by U.S. farmers and enhance overall U.S. Food Security and U.S. Food Safety.

Learning Objectives:

Under the guidance of a mentor, you willgain experience in molecular biology, protein biochemistry, plant/fungal genetics, and bioinformatics, as well as collaboration skills.

Mentor(s):

The mentor forthis opportunity is J. Mitch Elmore ([e-mail]). If you have questions about the nature of the research,please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: January2027.

Start date is flexible and willdepend on a variety offactors.

Appointment Length:

The appointment will initially be for one year, but may berenewed uponrecommendation of ARSand is contingent on the availability of funds.

Level of Participation:

The appointment is part time.

Participant Stipend:

The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience.

Citizenship Requirements:

This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only.

ORISE Information:

This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and ARS.Participants do not become employees of USDA, ARS, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment‑related benefits.Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.

Questions:

Please visit our Program Website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process,please email [e-mail] andinclude the reference code for this opportunity.